No Bail Set For Suspect In Thefts

June 03, 1998|By BILL LEUKHARDT; Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — A Polish- American teenager whom police have accused of targeting new immigrants from his native country was released from court without having to post bail Tuesday, a day after police charged the oft-arrested 19-year-old with nine new burglaries.

The decision by Judge Howard Scheinblum to let Thaddeus Terleckyj out on a written promise to return to court surprised prosecutor Louis Luba, who objected to the move in Superior Court.

Outside the courtroom, Luba said he feared Terleckyj, a self-professed heroin addict with a record of 27 burglary arrests, would break into more homes before he returns to court later this month.

The stocky teenager was arrested late Monday by members of a police squad formed to combat a sharp rise in burglaries this spring.

Police records show about 120 burglaries reported since April 1, including three more reported Monday. The special squad is working to find the burglars responsible. Police believe a handful of thieves are committing the break-ins.

Terleckyj is accused of stealing at least $6,000 worth of property from Broad Street-area homes, police said. None of it apparently has been recovered.

In court records, police accused Terleckyj of casing the apartments of recent Polish immigrants and breaking into the homes by forcing open back doors or window screens.